The S.P.A.R.C. Program

Sophomore year began as it always had, with mostly familiar faces and a few new students inhabiting the halls. Conversations sparked as soon as the morning bell rang, as all the high schoolers filed into the building to their respective lockers. Students checked out each other’s new threads, while others talked about the upcoming release of KRS-One’s “Music Drops Soon,” featuring Scarface, Wu-Tang Clan, and A Tribe Called Quest. The halls were alive with loud chatter, lockers slamming, and the occasional teacher reminding students to get to their homeroom class for attendance and announcements. 

 

The day was blurred by classes that seemed to go through the motions, as they always did at the beginning of the year. Most teachers explained their course, course dos and don’ts, and had students practice routines that would become a part of the daily class regimen. Only a few teachers who were considered ‘ball-busters’ gave homework, but even those assignments were simply signing syllabi or class rules and regulations. At the end of the day, there was an assembly for sophomores and juniors only. Each class filed into the auditorium to listen about the S.P.A.R.C. (Seeking Progress for All Reaching Children) program and its very detailed application process.

 

Marc was excited about the prospect. Many guys he knew who graduated and went on to college had gone through the program, so it was the one thing about the sophomore year that was exciting. There was a hard deadline right before the winter break to submit applications. There were many components of the application that needed to be filled out, including a section for parents and essay questions. Beginning in January, the board would narrow down the applicants and conduct interviews before making final decisions at the end of the year. It seemed tedious, but well worth it for students who needed extra support to reach their goals.

 

At the beginning of the school year, Doc B visited Norwalk High, among other schools and community centers, to make the big announcement about his program. For two years, Doc B used the program to close the gap for minority students by providing academic tutelage and preparation for life after graduation. He had many successes with other students, which he shared during the in-school assembly. There was a lot of positive publicity surrounding SPARC. Doc B could list many popular players and students in the community he helped with his program. Despite the whispers, many students were excited to join. The SPARC program ensured students received after-school support, tutoring, athletic sports mentorship, and college preparation in classes where a good grade point average was necessary to attend college. During the summer, the program offered out-of-town trips, excursions, and college tours to explore the possibility of pursuing higher education. The program also ensured students received meals and snacks during hours of operation.

 

Later that week, there was a parent information meeting about the SPARC program. Marc had let his mother know about the program, but to receive an application, she needed to attend the informational meeting. The apartment was eerily quiet as the brothers sat in the living room, waiting for their mother’s arrival. The clock ticked rhythmically, causing Marc anxious tension. His mother tried to be punctual, but sometimes her work kept her from returning home later than usual. She often missed games and activities her sons participated in, but it was the cost she had to endure as a single parent. Marc prayed that tonight was not one of those nights. He was excited to get to the information session at his high school so his mother could hear firsthand about the program. 

 

Marc’s mother arrived just before the meeting, leaving her little time to grab anything to eat. Cheryl, Marc’s mother, grabbed a piece of fruit and the notepad with her list of questions before they all piled into the car to head to the school auditorium. She was as ready as she was ever going to be. Cheryl ate her apple with one hand and steered the car with the other to ensure she had something in her stomach. She had never seen her son so excited about studying, but it couldn’t be half bad if this program helped his grades. 

 

There was a decent showing that evening in the school’s auditorium. Informational and application packets were supplied at the door before they stepped into the main room, where they were seated. Doc B was already on stage, standing before the red curtain, speaking with another adult. The session began promptly as Doc B took the handheld mic and introduced himself.

 

“Good evening! For those of you who don’t know me already, I am Larry Bottone. I’ve taught Social Studies and coached basketball at Nathan Hale Middle School in Norwalk. I also coach City League basketball. Suffice it to say, I know a lot of the kids around town.” There was some verbal confirmation throughout the auditorium. Some familiar faces in the audience nodded in agreement with his statement. 

 

Marc’s mother was locked in, concentrating very hard on the information being presented. Her focus was needed for Marc to receive the answer he desired. A few times, Ethan distracted him, but Marc maintained his composure. At the same time, his mother listened intently to the answers awaiting her chance to fill in the gaps during Q & A. Marc blocked his brother’s attempts and adjusted his seat to find a more comfortable position. Marc had heard Doc B’s speech already, but he knew it was essential for him to look engaged in front of his mother. He wanted her to see that he was taking this seriously. It would give her a stronger reason to support his entering the program. Many of her questions and concerns were answered before his speech ended. 

 

Doc B continued, “Having worked with teens for so long, I’ve noticed some alarming trends. Norwalk High has a graduation rate of about 88%, but only 71% for students of color. Looking a little bit farther out from graduation, we can predict that 6.4% of graduates earn a 2-year associate’s degree. 41% of students who enroll in a 4-year university program complete it and graduate.

 

I know the statistics can be overwhelming, but I want to share another statistic with you. I believe it is important to explain the idea behind creating SPARC. Earning a bachelor’s degree increases your ability to get a job by 57%. It can also lead to earning up to 86% more than you would with only a high school diploma.

 

Two years ago, with all these statistics in mind, I created SPARC with other teachers and some donors. SPARC has multiple components, so every student can find something they want to be part of.” You could hear a pin drop in that auditorium while he spoke. 

 

“One goal of SPARC is to provide tutorials for the students. These will focus on each student’s schoolwork and also bigger topics to prepare students for the rigor of college courses. The second goal is to help make college a reality for students. We want to help students navigate the application process and get the most out of their financial aid package. The third goal is to set students up to be successful adults. We will teach adult life skills like budgeting, paying taxes, public speaking, leadership development, decision-making, etc. Our final goal is more social. We want to build strong relationships with one another that will last far beyond high school. We all know it takes a village to raise a child, and SPARC is just an additional cog in the wheel.” He referred the families to the two packets they picked up at the entrance.

 

“I’m sure that you have many questions about the program, but I know the top query is: What does it cost? In general, students in the program will not be expected to pay for anything. However, there will be times, on trips and so forth. Students will need to bring their own money for snacks and souvenirs, which will be the one provision that is not covered by the program. We will always make it clear when students will need their own money. We are able to provide the funds for the program due to a generous grant from US Surgical and donations from other community partners.”

As Doc B concluded his speech, he opened the floor to parents to ask questions or voice concerns.